By: Nino Aclan

SENATOR Win Gatchalian is pushing for an energy transition measure anew as the country’s dependency on coal-fired power has already surpassed that of Indonesia and China.

“An energy transition measure is necessary as the country gears towards increased use of renewable energy sources,” said Gatchalian, emphasizing that the country needs to bring down its dependence on coal-fired energy.

Citing data from energy think tank Ember, Gatchalian stressed the need to come up with an energy transition measure that would push the country closer to its green energy goals. The Ember data showed that the Philippines already surpassed Indonesia and China in terms of dependence on coal-fired power as the country’s share of coal in electricity generation rose for the fifteenth straight year in 2023 despite a target to cut dependence on the fuel to less than half of total power output by 2030.

Gatchalian said that from January to June this year, the average generation charge of Meralco for coal was P7.4 per kilowatt hour compared to P4.18 per kWh for solar, a rate difference of about 44 percent.

“Importante na magkaroon ang bansa ng maayos na plano para sa mas malawak na paggamit ng renewable energy at bumaba ang presyo ng kuryente,” he said.

Gatchalian had earlier filed Senate Bill No.157 or the Energy Transition Act which provides for the creation of an Energy Transition Plan to achieve phaseout of fossil fuel plants and net zero emissions by 2050.

According to Gatchalian, a measure effecting an energy transition plan would help ensure the country would achieve its goal of removing coal from its energy mix by 2050.

He also emphasized an energy transition plan would help accelerate the use of renewable energy sources. This, in turn, would help reduce the cost of energy prices and the country’s vulnerability to global events that tend to result in price fluctuations.